A clinical examination of the ways in which early neglect can impact adults throughout their lives, and suggestions for therapists on how to help. People who have experienced emotional neglect in the first months and years of life suffer negative consequences into adulthood. As adult psychotherapy clients, they require long-term work and delicate emotional attunement as well as a profound understanding of the experiences that have shaped their inner worlds. This book provides therapists with an in-depth view of the subjective experience of such “ignored children” and a range of possible theoretical models to help understand key features of their psychological functioning. Kathrin A. Stauffer presents do’s and don’t’s of psychotherapy with such clients. She draws on broad clinical experience to help psychotherapeutic professionals deepen their understanding of “ignored children” and outlines available neurobiological and psychological data to assist therapists in designing effective therapeutic interventions. Reviews: "[Kathrin Stauffer] describes work to support four adults, each experiencing anxiety and shame after a childhood of neglect. This is a lesson in ways to share recovery of healthy pride in systems of companionship, a therapy that is interpersonal, relational, and dyadic. " Colwyn Trevarthen, PhD, FRSE, Professor (Emeritus) of Child Psychology and Psychobiology, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Science, The University of Edinburgh "Kathrin Stauffer provides intelligent, accessible theory along with common-sense interventions to ease frustrations that too often result when attempting work with clients who have been emotionally neglected as children. Carefully chosen, poignant case examples throughout the book illustrate the depth and breadth of these issues...Stauffer's dedication to her clients shines through and is translated into a book offering the knowledge, insight, sensitivity, and compassion necessary to help these heretofore lost-in-the-cracks clients. " Babette Rothschild, author of The Body Remembers and Revolutionizing Trauma Treatment About the Author: Kathrin A. Stauffer, PhD, was born and educated in Switzerland. Originally a biochemist, she retrained as a body psychotherapist and currently works in private practice in Cambridge and London as a body psychotherapist, biodynamic massage therapist, trainer, and supervisor. http://www.stauffer.co.uk/ |